the icon was supposed to be returned by the vatican to russia on august 28.
a lot of traditonal catholics were incensed that the church would hand over such an important relic to the orthodox church, still seen by many to be in the hands of ex-KGB agents. the traditional catholics were /have been looking toward the fatima prohecies about the conversion of russia and felt that the pope's handover of the icon represented a betrayal of the fatima message.
so the icon should be in russia now.probably in one of the kremlin churches.
but it gets better: the orthodox prelates claim the the icon which was returned is a copy, and as a result, declare that they don't trust the catholic church and won't agree to john paul to visit russia. there was some speculation that the quid pro quo for the icon's return would be for the pope to be welcomed to russia.
the following link is to an article discussing the handover.
http://www.traditioninaction.org/polemics/F_01_Kazan7_BetrayalCFN.htm
